G.o.b. Discuss Coast Guard Base With Americans

The Ministry of National Security has been forced into discussions with the US Embassy following revelations that a US-funded Coast Guard forward operating base on Hunting Caye is being built by BINARQ, a Guatemalan company employing Guatemalan workers. The news broke last week and public fire and brimstone have rained down on the government. At the House of Representatives on Thursday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow stated that he didn’t know. At that same session, Minister of National Security John Saldivar stated that he knew, but didn’t want to stare a gift horse in the mouth. Still, the outcry has been enough to send officials scurrying into action. Today, Ministry of National Security C.E.O., Retired Colonel George Lovell, told News Five that while the project on Hunting Caye hasn’t been halted just yet, there is serious discussion on the matter.

Via Phone: Ret’s Col. George Lovell, C.E.O., Ministry of National Security

George Lovell

“I have had that conversation with the military liaison office and what was made clear to me is that the US Core engineer who has in fact engaged in this contract with BINARQ Company as far back as 2010 when the contract first started. Now I will certainly have to try and see what can be done based on all that has been aired so far in terms of going forward. But the discussion certainly has been taken with the American authorities; we still have not reached the arm core of engineer who is the key people that we certainly need to engage.”

Mike Rudon

“Sir one criticism that has gone out is that it is a national security concern. Does the ministry of national security share that opinion?”

Ret’s Col. George Lovell

“We, obviously with the recent discussions that we’ve had over the media, it is a natural concern for national security and if not, then we are insensitive indeed to what our people are clamouring for. And then you have your saying that or making the statement that the prime minister made is definitely a message to us to look into this and other issues which may be currently under construction. And so yes we are concerned at the ministry of national security and we are looking at measures to certainly see if we can in fact make changes to this and if we can do so in a very short time.”